Graham Rowntree could be forced to seek a dispensation from the IRFU to press Ireland out-half Jack Crowley into service a week earlier than planned should Billy Burns’ shoulder injury keep him out of Saturday’s away game against Zebre.
The former Ulster No 10 was forced off during the second half of the 35-33 win over Connacht and Munster are awaiting the scan results before making a call. Crowley played 34 times for club and country last season, amassing 2,202 minutes and he had been on a modified return that would allow him play in the third round clash with Ospreys in Cork.
If Burns is out, it would leave Munster with Tony Butler and Academy out-half Dylan Hicks available. Butler has started three of his 10 appearances for Munster and kicked the winning conversion after replacing Burns on Saturday, and the highly-rated Hicks has yet to play for the first team.
While he was happy with Butler’s winning kick, Rowntree has worries over Butler’s defensive work in the No 10 channel and would prefer a more experienced option as he seeks early-season momentum against the Italians who ran Cardiff close on Friday night.
“We’ll see what Monday brings, the majority are back in round three, but it depends on how skinny we are in certain positions,” the head coach said.
“It’s on an individual basis, you saw Friday with Leinster’s selection – it’s an individual basis and that’s good sense. We’ll see what Monday brings.
“Tony kicked a real clutch kick at the end. He got a good workout defensively, plenty to work on. Clutch-kicks, I’d hate to do that for a living, I’m proud of him.
“Just having a chat there, he knows he’s got a lot of work to do in that channel defensively – but we’ll work on him and see how Billy is on Monday morning. It’s an AC joint, there’s no denying that.
“Most fly-halves have issues there, it’s why Johnny Sexton looks the way he does, there’s a channel there to defend.”
A relieved Rowntree paid tribute to Connacht, refusing to blame his side’s shorter pre-season – which had one fewer game than the Westerners – for the fact it was the visitors who looked the sharper team.
He’s now targeting a strong start and some momentum as they look to improve.
“We’re back on the treadmill now, week to week. We’ll get in Monday and have a look at it, put things to bed,” he said. “Tuesday, you start looking forward. You’ve got to. You’ve got to drive on quick. A young Zebre team waiting for us at home, their first game at home. We’ll see what we can select and drive on.
“We weren’t perfect, but I was really impressed by them. I just said that to Pete (Wilkins) – impressed by their physicality in the carry and the ruck. They’ll have a good season.”